Finding Love

Mateo

"I didn't know I was playing with fire until it burned me and I liked it"

Monday morning...

"um dois três quatro" Neymar yelled as the team did 20 jumping jacks. 

"Faster boys we have a long practice today" he laughed to himself while jumping in place

After we finished our set we started the group lap. Soccer is a sport that focuses on core muscle and coordination. We run 4 laps after each stretch as a team. 

"I can feel todays practice will be hell" Vinicius said as we ran next to each other. He had a point since Coach had been in a bad mood all morning and Neymar was laughing a too much today.

"You don't say" I replied while looking at him and finishing our last two laps 

"Today we're going to start off different. Instead of jumping into plays and scrimmages, you boys need to work on your shots!" coach yelled while he looked over the whole team. Penalty shots used to be a speciality of mine before I missed one causing us to be eliminated from the cup. 

Since then I haven't had the same confidence when it came to my shooting and I often passed the ball to Vinius, Lucas or Neymar before a goal. Coach noticed this a couple practices ago and was disappointed to say the least but I didn't care. 

"I want Souza, Neymar, and Paqueta up first the rest fall in line how you please" our coach said sending dangers into my eyes. I knew what he was doing with this drill and I was not pleased at all. 

Holding back my words I stood behind Lucas as we watched Neymar go first. The man was named a legend for a reason, he's brought much respect to Brazil in the last decade and made our team what it is today. 

Watching him slowly ease up to the ball then strike was beautiful. He never missed a penalty and it brought honor to our country. Neymar has been my idol since I was a teen and being able to play with him has felt like a dream. After our loose a couple years back he helped me battle the media and move past their hateful words. 

Lost in my thoughts I didn't realize Lucas had already went and it was my turn. I nervously stood behind the ball and anticipated how I would score. Our goalie is good but I want to be better. I run up to the ball and before shooting I throw the goalie with a fake right kick. 

Doing this again brought back memories of my failure, I closed my eyes before I kicked and found that the ball went far over the goal. I felt stupid thinking I could change and walked to the back of the line

"Mateo don't be too hard on yourself" Vinicius rubbed my shoulder as I walked by him to stand behind Lucas. 

Two hours later and we finished practice for the morning. I collected all the balls off the field and brought them to the bag. Coach was standing by stands and it looked like he was waiting to talk.

"Souza I'm disappointed in you today" he said with his arms folded by his side. 

"You're a good striker but you keep letting the past hold you back! I can't have you on this team if you don't try" he scolded me with a soft look on his face. I understood where he was coming from and nodded my head. 

Being a failure to the team was something I was more than accustomed with but this year I couldn't let us down again. 

The locker room door opened and I turned to see Neymar walking in getting ready to pack up too. "You did good today, o maninho" he praised me and as I smiled.

"I messed up on my shot again. Coach and the team are tired of carrying my baggage" I expressed to him as I closed my locker and grabbed my bag. 

"Enough of the sappy talk. You know I believe in you and all those haters inside your head shouldn't control how you play" he said in a serious tone. Getting up he walked over to me and placed his arm on my shoulder.

"Souza you're like a little brother I've never had. I see this team as my family and family helps each other" he told me with his signature smile and kind words

"Tonight we have dinner with the Fifa coordinators and they're hoping to partner with us and do interviews. Coach didn't know who he wanted to send from the team but I vouched for you and you're attending" he told me as I looked at him with admiration.  

"Neymar, I don't know what I would do without you" I joked as we both hugged and laughed at my antics. 

"Agreed, dinner will be at Nobu and starts at 8pm. Don't be late o maninho" he said turning towards the door and waving goodbye.